1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Can PMR (Polymyalgia Rheumatica) be induced by vaccine?

Posted by kristem2020 @kristem2020, Jan 2, 2021

Good evening, I’ve recently been diagnosed with PMR. It came on a week after my flu shot October 23, 2020.

Has anyone experienced the same diagnosis after a flu shot?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

gingerraspiller | @gingerraspiller | Sep 26, 2022

I had 3 Pfizer shots but for my 4th shot decided to “mix it up” and got Moderna. I have had aches and pains after each shot that lasted several months but nothing like I experienced after the 4th shot. Within a week I started feeling aches and stiffness - and it got much worse. Especially in my hips, pelvis, and knees. Had problems sleeping and whenever I was stationary for 1/2 hour or more (gardening, driving) it was difficult to move. Told my doctor about symptoms- he ran a ton of blood tests and my C reactive protein came back very high indicating inflammation. He diagnosed PMR (fortunately no GCA). I started at 40 mg, dropped to 30 mg and am now at 20 mg. Rechecking CRP in a couple weeks. Prednisone has eliminated symptoms but I want to get off it ASAP. I am convinced the Moderna shot ( which has 3X the amount of rna as Pfizer shot) triggered my PMR. I am not getting the current Covid shot or my flu shot until I’m off prednisone. I am 64.

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2 replies
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Sep 26, 2022
In reply to @dstuber "John, Thanks for your help in this area. How do I get a My Mayo rheumatologist?..." + (show)
@dstuber

John,
Thanks for your help in this area. How do I get a My Mayo rheumatologist?
@donstuber

Jump to this post

My primary care doctor got me a referral to a Mayo rheumatologist when I had my first occurrence of PMR. If you are not currently a Mayo Clinic patient, you can contact one of the appointment offices. The contact information for Minnesota, Arizona and Florida can be found here http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63.

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tracykarran | @tracykarran | Sep 26, 2022
In reply to @patriciaco "In 2016, I received an annual flu vaccine and a pnemonia shot from my doctor. The..." + (show)
@patriciaco

In 2016, I received an annual flu vaccine and a pnemonia shot from my doctor. The pain from the shot lasted for over a week. When I called the clinic they said it would be better in a couple of weeks. After about a week I began having a hard time getting out of bed, after another week I wasn't able to walk without the assistance of a cane. I called an ambulance one morning when I had to crawl to the bathroom. The first visit to the hospital left me with no diagnosis or cause of my pain. The second time, the ambulance took me to another hospital. After a diagnosis and consultation with a Rheumatologist, I was given a cortisone shot and my pain and paralysis disappeared immediately! I went through years of taking cortisone and then weaning off the cortisone. I had always suspected that the vaccine was the source of my PMR and now my suspicions are being recognized and confirmed. For the past 6 years everyone has told that a shot "couldn't trigger PMR".

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Thank you for this post! Last April I had my second Moderna shot and came down with PMR and giant cell arteritis within a month. Never had any of these issues all my life and I am 66 years old. I am currently on a tapering of prednisone. Going to see my doctor rheumatologist this Wednesday to discuss the process, trying to stay hopeful ..

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tracykarran | @tracykarran | Sep 26, 2022
In reply to @gingerraspiller "I had 3 Pfizer shots but for my 4th shot decided to “mix it up” and..." + (show)
@gingerraspiller

I had 3 Pfizer shots but for my 4th shot decided to “mix it up” and got Moderna. I have had aches and pains after each shot that lasted several months but nothing like I experienced after the 4th shot. Within a week I started feeling aches and stiffness - and it got much worse. Especially in my hips, pelvis, and knees. Had problems sleeping and whenever I was stationary for 1/2 hour or more (gardening, driving) it was difficult to move. Told my doctor about symptoms- he ran a ton of blood tests and my C reactive protein came back very high indicating inflammation. He diagnosed PMR (fortunately no GCA). I started at 40 mg, dropped to 30 mg and am now at 20 mg. Rechecking CRP in a couple weeks. Prednisone has eliminated symptoms but I want to get off it ASAP. I am convinced the Moderna shot ( which has 3X the amount of rna as Pfizer shot) triggered my PMR. I am not getting the current Covid shot or my flu shot until I’m off prednisone. I am 64.

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Thank you for your post, all of my symptoms of PMR and GCA came after my second Moderna shot. Currently on prednisone for the last year and a half and trying to stay positive but having a few relapse issues coming up as I am currently down to 1 mg of prednisone. Never had any issues like this in my life until after that shot and it happened within a month

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1 reply
herderc | @herderc | Sep 26, 2022
In reply to @mymayoid "My first Moderna vaccine in late 1/21 and I was soon suffering with terrific joint pain..." + (show)
@mymayoid

My first Moderna vaccine in late 1/21 and I was soon suffering with terrific joint pain -- could hardly move. My primary doctor referred me to a rheumatologist after my blood tests for CRP and Westergren Sedimentation Rate came back with rates indicating very high inflammation. Diagnosis was PMR and I started on 40 mg prednisone. It's now 1.5 years later I'm down to 5 mg of prednisone.
These COVID vaccines should come with a warning label. Looks like there's a lot of evidence among us with PMR that it can be triggered by vaccines among those over 60.

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Thank you for replying. I am sorry you are suffering with this.
It sounds like we should get a referral to a rheumatologist. Were they most helpful in addressing your pain? There is a 3 month wait for an appointment, but his internist doesn't seem to be looking for a diagnosis. Thanks for information.

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mary4 | @mary4 | Sep 27, 2022

These are very interesting comments. I already had PMR when I received my vaccinations, although what I noticed (finally), is that I had flare ups within a few days of receiving all 4 vaccines, all of which lasted 6 to 7 weeks. I will not.be taking more. I agree the shot should come with a warning, which I suppose first requires "official" recognition that these reactions are evidence informed and "facts".

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2 replies
lucychristine46 | @lucychristine46 | Sep 29, 2022
In reply to @mary4 "These are very interesting comments. I already had PMR when I received my vaccinations, although what..." + (show)
@mary4

These are very interesting comments. I already had PMR when I received my vaccinations, although what I noticed (finally), is that I had flare ups within a few days of receiving all 4 vaccines, all of which lasted 6 to 7 weeks. I will not.be taking more. I agree the shot should come with a warning, which I suppose first requires "official" recognition that these reactions are evidence informed and "facts".

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Mary are the vaccinations you received for Covid ?

I agree that the medical world needs to acknowledge that it is a clear possibility that one can get PMR from a vaccination. When I was 65 , I got an extra large dose flu shot for seniors although I really had ever had little exposure to the flu . 4 days after the flu vaccination I suddenly woke up to barely being able to get out of bed .
The upper body muscle pain was the worst . I started with 10 mg of prednisone an d it took 9 months for me to get rid of the pain and prednisone. 6 years later I had a recurrence.
Same med and healing time .
Because of this PMR And resulting spinal osteoporosis I decided not to have any of the Covid vaccinations.
I

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mary4 | @mary4 | Sep 29, 2022

I already had PMR when I received my covid vaccines. What I experienced was a increase in my symptoms (for a.period of roughly 6 weeks) with days each time I was vaccinated. Too bad it took me 4 vaccinations to identify the pattern.

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chibanjo | @chibanjo | Oct 3, 2022

It’s been on my mind. Just can’t be sure.

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vandyms1974 | @vandyms1974 | Oct 5, 2022

My rheumatologist and I both feel the Covid vaccine triggered my PMR. Needless to say, I am not getting boosters. I guess my mask and I are permanent friends.
I also had a fall down a couple of steps that injured by knees. The vaccine and the injury may have been enough to cause extreme inflammation. They occurred with a month of each other. Who knows. I would certainly be leery of getting a live vaccine.

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